Introduction
The Santhali language, spoken by the indigenous Santhal community, is one of the prominent tribal languages of India. Recognized in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Santhali holds a significant place in Indian culture, history, and heritage. From the Santhal Rebellion of 1855 to the contributions of Raghunath Murmu, the language and the community have played a crucial role in shaping India’s tribal history.
For students, competitive exam aspirants, and history enthusiasts, knowing Santhali General Knowledge (GK) questions is essential. In this article, we will cover some of the most important Santhali GK questions related to India, along with insights into Santhal culture, language, and traditions.
Importance of Santhali Language and Culture
Santhali is widely spoken in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar. It was traditionally written in various scripts like Devanagari, Bengali, and Latin, but in 1925, Raghunath Murmu developed the Ol Chiki script, which became the official writing system for the language.
The Santhal community has contributed significantly to India’s tribal movements, particularly through leaders like Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu and Birsa Munda. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856) was one of the earliest uprisings against British colonial rule.
Top Santhali GK Questions – India
Here are some of the most important general knowledge (GK) questions related to the Santhali language, culture, and history:
1. Which script is officially used to write the Santhali language?
(a) Devanagari
(b) Ol Chiki ✅
(c) Bengali
(d) Latin
Answer: (b) Ol ChikiExplanation: Ol Chiki was invented by Raghunath Murmu in 1925 to provide Santhali with a distinct script.
2. Santhali is recognized under which schedule of the Indian Constitution?
(a) 7th Schedule
(b) 8th Schedule ✅
(c) 9th Schedule
(d) 10th Schedule
Answer: (b) 8th ScheduleExplanation: Santhali was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2003 under the 92nd Constitutional Amendment.
3. Who led the Santhal Rebellion of 1855?
(a) Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu ✅
(b) Birsa Munda
(c) Tilka Manjhi
(d) Raghunath Murmu
Answer: (a) Sidhu and Kanhu MurmuExplanation: The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) was led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu against British landlords and exploitative zamindars.
4. In which Indian states is Santhali widely spoken?
(a) Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar ✅
(b) Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland
(c) Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan
(d) Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala
Answer: (a) Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, BiharExplanation: These states have significant Santhali-speaking populations, particularly in tribal areas.
5. Who invented the Ol Chiki script?
(a) Sidhu Murmu
(b) Kanhu Murmu
(c) Raghunath Murmu ✅
(d) Birsa Munda
Answer: (c) Raghunath MurmuExplanation: Raghunath Murmu developed the Ol Chiki script in 1925 to give the Santhali language its own writing system.
6. What is the most important festival of the Santhal community?
(a) Sohrai ✅
(b) Sarhul
(c) Karma
(d) Maghe Parab
Answer: (a) SohraiExplanation: Sohrai is a major festival celebrating cattle, agriculture, and nature in Santhal culture.
7. Who is a famous freedom fighter from the Santhal community?
(a) Birsa Munda ✅
(b) Bhagat Singh
(c) Chandrashekhar Azad
(d) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Answer: (a) Birsa MundaExplanation: Birsa Munda led the Munda Rebellion against British rule in the late 19th century and is a revered tribal leader.
8. Which musical instrument is commonly used in Santhal culture?
(a) Madal
(b) Dhodro Banam ✅
(c) Tabla
(d) Sitar
Answer: (b) Dhodro BanamExplanation: The Dhodro Banam is a traditional Santhali string instrument made of wood and played during festivals and cultural events.
Conclusion
Santhali culture, language, and history are integral to India's tribal heritage. The Santhals have a rich history of resistance, creativity, and cultural identity. With the recognition of Santhali in the 8th Schedule and its increasing presence in literature, films, and education, the language continues to thrive.
For those preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, and state-level exams, having Santhali GK knowledge can be highly beneficial.
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